Adjustable cupola



United States Patent 3,338,006 ADJUSTABLE CUPOLA Clark D. Belden, Wayzata, Minn., assignor to Helger L. Forsman Filed Dec. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 327,959 4 Claims. (Cl. 52-200) This invention relates generally to roof cupolas. More particularly, it has reference to the improved type of cupola that has an adjustable base that permits the cupola to be mounted over the ridge of a gable roof, regardless of the pitch of the roof.

Cupolas have been in general use for a considerable time since they not only have various useful purposes, but decorative functions as well. In the past, however, it was necessary to prefit the cupola to the slant of a particular roof. Consequently, cupolas are normally tailored to fit a particular roof.

While cupolas of this type serve the purpose for which they were designed, they are possessed of certain disadvantages. Since the design must be made to accommodate the pitch of a particular roof, considerable time is lost through the necessity of tailoring a cupola to the particular pitch required.

It has been discovered that the above described disadvantages can be obviated by producing a pre-constructed cupola. The cupola can be built with an adjustable base capable of adjusting to fit over the ridge of all normal gable roofs. Further, the cupola is so adjustable to read ily admit to attachment to any existing roof of the gable type construction without the necessity of cutting, measuring, or trimming in any form.

It has been further discovered that the adjustability advantage above discussed can also be utilized in connection with flashing components that are provided on the cupola itself so that-the cupola in question can be readily nailed to the roof surface in question.

An improved cupola having an adjustable base construction is described in the assignees co-pending application Serial No. 207,942, filed July 6, 1962, now US. Patent 3,216,161. The cupola having an adjustable base therein described has been successful in fulfilling intended purposes. It has been found, however, that the adjustable base structure can be simplified without any reduction in efficiency of use and operation. The simplification will result in additional savings in cost and time which are always quite desirable.

It is therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide a cupola having an adjustable base, adaptable for use on all normalroofs of the gable construction.

Another object is in the provision for greatly simplifying the structure of the adjustable base to eifect a savings in time and money.

These and other objects will become apparent upon a reading of ,the following brief specification considered and interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a justable cupola.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the lines 33 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGURE 1, the improved adjustable cupola, generally designated by the numeral 10, includes a cupola housing 11 and an adjustable base 12. The base 12 is designed for the purpose of properly seating the cupola with respect to the gable roof, with the housing 11 and base 12 being joined together to form the unitary cupola 10, as clearly shown in FIGURE 1.

perspective view of the improved ad- The housing 11, in the embodiment shown, may be considered as having a front side 20, a rear side 21, and, opposed side portions 22 and 23. The primary vertical support is formed through the use of elongate pins 24, 25, 26 and 27. The pins support the elongate decorative louvers 30, 30, which are overlapped at the corners so as to appear to be continuous when they are spaced and arranged to provide the outer covering on all four sides of the housing 11, as is illustrated in FIGURE 1. In addition, a top surface or roof 31 is provided in covering relationship to the components just described. In this manner, the cupola is given a four-sided ventilated appearance, as is shown in the perspective view of FIGURE 1.

For the purpose of union and continuity to the housing above described, the adjustable base 12 is shown as having a front support member in the form of a flat plate 40. Plate 40 spans the space between pins 24 and 25 and has its upper edge attached, as by riveting or welding, to the inward edge of lowermost louver 30a. Additionally, plate 40 is creased, as at 42, to in effect, divide plate 40 into two sections with the section 40a thereof being straight in vertical direction, and the section 40b flaring slightly outward and being movable with respect to section 40a. Plate 40, further, has a formed flange 44 which is bent'at an acute angle with respect to section 40b. The flange 44 is designed to provide nailing surfaces for securirig the cupola with respect to a roof. As shown in FIGURE 2, a similar plate 46, having sections 46a and 46b, as well as a flange 48, is similarly positioned with respect to the back side 21. The plate 46 is thus disposed in opposed relationship to the just described plate 40, with the flange 48 thereof serving to again provide a nailing surface for attachment of the rear portion of the cupola with respect to a roof.

In order to provide adjustment for varying roof pitches, as has been previously indicated, the space beneath the lowermost louver 30b is shown enclosed by a side closure panel than is generally designated by the numeral 50. The side closure panel 50 is comprised of a plurality of component parts co-acting together to effect an adjustable closure.

To this end, panel 50 is shown as having an upper plate 52 formed with the bottom edge in the shape of a permanent pitch 54. Plate 52 is not movable and is secured by welding orbolting to front plate section 40a. Disposed interiorly of plate 52 is an angle bar member 56. At each end, bar member 56 is attached to plate 52, but in such a manner that a spacing 58 occurs between the plate 52 and the bar 56. Spacing 58 receives the overlapped ends of panel segments 60 and 62 which are formed with flanges 60a and 62a respectively. At their opposed ends, panels 60 and 62 are attached, by welding or otherwise, to the flared sections 46b and 40b of the rear and front sides, respectively. In this manner, it is possible to unify and coordinate the movement of all movable elements in the adjustable base 12 as is shown in the chain-dotted line of FIGURE 3. Panels 60 and 62 are slideable in the space 58 and relative to the pitch plate 52. Further, the panels 60 and 62 and the respective flanges 60a and 62a overlap each other as is clearly shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The overlap is such that separation of the overlapped relationship is impossible under normal conditions and such as will provide free movement of the panels 60 and 62 relative to each other. The flanges 60a and 62a, as in the case of other flanges herein employed, provide the necessary nailing surfaces.

It is to be understood that in the particular embodiment of the invention shown, the remaining opposed side unit is of identical configuration and accordingly would be in opposite hand relationship to the closure panel element 50 just described, so that further description of the re- V resorted to without departing maining side elements is not believed necessary for the purpose of fully descr-bing this invention. 7

It is also to be understood that While the particular form of the invention shown has two opposed adjustable side units, the invention is not intended to be limited to this structure. One or even all four sides could be constructed in the manner of panel 50, if desired, and according to variation in roof construction.

In use or operation of the improved cupola, it will first be assumed that the component parts have been assembled as indicated. Then, it is merely necessary that the cupola be positioned on a roof and hand force applied. Flanges 44 and 48, due to their attachment to movable sections 40b and 46b of plates 40 and 46, may be pressed into full surface to surface contact with the pitch of the roof. Simultaneously, movable segments 60 and 62 will slide in the space 58 relative to plate 52 and relative to each other to thereby bring the respective flanges 60a and 62a into full surface to surface contact to the roof pitch. All flanges may now be secured to the roof, by nailing or other means, thereby securing the cupola in position on a roof.

With regard 'to the preferred material employed, the invention has been illustrated with an aluminum or other light-weight type of metallic structure, although it is to be understood that the principle of adjustable closure could be equally utilized with other material that could be adjusted in the same fashion.

There has been shown, then, a cupola which has an adjustable base enabling the cupola to be adapted to all normal gable roof constructions. Tailor fitting to a particular roof with all the attendant delays involved in cutting, smoothing, and trimming, becomes unnecessary. The movable elements of the adjustable base are of simple construction and durable through all intended purposes.

It should also be notedrthat the adjustable base disclosed herein would have equal utility with other structures designed to be placed on the ridge of a gable roof such as for example, sky lights, flashing for chimneys, trap doors and the like. It is believed that the inventive concepts herein embodied are equally applicable to various uses of the type noted above.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been made in accordance with the dictates of the patent statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the original embodiment herein shown.

Accordingly, modifications of the invention may be from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable cupola for use roof, comprising:

(A) a cupola housing including (1) a top member (2) a front side (3) a rear side, and

(4) opposed sides interconnecting said front and rear sides and attached to and depending from said top member;

' (B) an adjustable base support depending from the sides of said housing;

on the ridge of a gable (C) said base support having front and rear support members with each said support member having a stationary section and a movable section; and

(D) at least one remaining support member of said base support including a pair of overlapped and relatively movable panel sections with one end of one of said panel sections being secured to the movable section of said front support member and with one end of the remaining panel section being secured to the movable section of said rear support member for movement in unison therewith (1) whereby all said front and rear support members and said remaining sides of said base support may be adjusted simultaneously to fit the pitch of said roof.

2. The device of claim fact that each said movable section of said front and rear support members of said base support and each said panel section include flanges projecting substantially perpendicularly therefrom and providing a surface for securing said cupola to said roof.

3. The :device of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of (A) a stationary plate member depending from said cupola housing on at least one remaining side of said base support; and

(B) an elongate bar member supported interiorly of said cupola housing and spanningthe space between said opposed front and rear sides thereof in parallel spaced relationship with said plate member.

4. An adjustable base support for use on the ridge of a gable roof, comprising:

(A) front and rear support members with each said support member having a stationary section and a movable section; and

(B) a pair of relatively movable panel sections disposed on at least one remaining side of said base support with one end of one of said panel sections being secured to said movable section of said front support member and with one end of the remaining panel section being secured to the movable section of said rear support member for movement in unison therewith (1) whereby movement of said panels and said movable sections of said front and rear support members is coordinated to achieve a substantially full surface to surface contact between said roof and said base support.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 683,984 10/ 1901 Reiss 5272 3,202,080 8/1965 Cook 98-43 3,209,669 10/ 1965 Bayne 52-200 3,216,161 11/1965 Forsman 52- 200 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. JAMES L, RIDGILL, 111., Assistant Examiner.

1 further characterized by the 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE CUPOLA FOR USE ON THE RIDGE OF A GABLE ROOF, COMPRISING; (A) A CUPOLA HOUSING INCLUDING (1) A TOP MEMBER (2) A FRONT SIDE (3) A REAR SIDE, AND (4) OPPOSED SIDES INTERCONNECTING SAID FRONT AND REAR SIDES AND ATTACHED TO AND DEPENDING FROM SAID TOP MEMBER; (B) AN ADJUSTABLE BASE SUPPORT DEPENDING FRON THE SIDES OF SAID HOUSING; (C) SAID BASE SUPPORT HAVING FRONT AND REAR SUPPORT MEMBERS WITH EACH SAID SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A STATIONARY SECTION AND A MOVABLE SECTION; AND (D) AT LEAST ONE REMAINING SUPPORT MEMBER OF SAID BASE SUPPORT INCLUDING A PAIR OF OVERLAPPED AND RELATIVELY MOVABLE PANEL SECTIONS WITH ONE END OF ONE OF SAID PANEL SECTIONS BEING SECURED TO THE MOVABLE SECTION OF SAID FRONT SUPPORT MEMBER AND WITH ONE END OF THE REMAINING PANEL SECTION BEING SECURED TO THE MOVABLE SECTION OF SAID REAR SUPPORT MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT IN UNISON THEREWITH (1) WHEREBY ALL SAID FRONT AND REAR SUPPORT MEMBERS AND SAID REMAINING SIDES OF SAID BASE SUPPORT MAY BE ADJUSTED SIMULTANEOUSLY TO FIT THE PITCH OF SAID ROOF. 